Chapter 8: Farewell Part 4

Thus, he began to learn to use finesse. When facing enemies, he refrained from fighting first and tried various solutions, treating it as completing his unfinished cultivation. After all, unlike many exorcists who advanced steadily step by step, he had not followed that path to where he was now.

After Shen Kuo died, Xiang Xian had found a letter among his belongings while sorting through his relics. It pointed out his future path, so Xiang Xian took it to Kaifeng and sought out Guo Jing.

Upon entering the capital, Xiang Xian realized the allure of the bustling world that blinded people’s eyes.

Kaifeng’s grand spectacles contrasted sharply with the struggling poor in the Central Plains. On one side was a prosperous era of ornate beams and painted rafters, where people indulged in drunken dreams; on the other was a hellish human world of starvation, famine, and families selling wives and daughters to pay debts.

This often made him feel unreal—Kaifeng was a beautiful dream crafted by the Shenzhou Great Land, shrouded along the Yellow River’s banks, while beyond the dream lay the true world.

During his time working in Kaifeng, he felt even more out of place. Guo Jing fawned and flattered, only caring to please the emperor by refining elixirs and seeking longevity, plundering treasures from everywhere through the Gold Stone Bureau. Capture demons? Where were the demons? Every few days, he sent Xiang Xian on errands, which were merely treasure hunts for the emperor.

Xiang Xian had initially come to Bianjing just to learn how to navigate the world, but now everything left a sour taste. The only friend he made was the Ninth Prince, Zhao Gou.

Though Zhao Gou was soft and indecisive by nature, his heart was good.

But Xiang Xian could no longer stay in this place. He had done what he needed to do and said what he needed to say.

His only hope was that his words today might make the emperor a bit more sober.

Outside, the moon had just risen. Xiang Xian pressed his hand against one side of the cell wall. Moonlight poured through the brick seams, shattered into pieces, swirled around his body, and flew away.

Xiang Xian simply walked out of the prison like that. Behind him, the bricks reassembled seamlessly, as if nothing had happened.

He returned to the Exorcism Division at the end of the dark alley beneath Yuwang Platform. The two Stone Lions called out, “Lord Xiang is back…”

Xiang Xian drew talismanic runes in the air mid-step, and the Stone Lions fell silent.

He entered the Exorcism Division and saw A Huang curled up sleeping, so he grabbed it casually, holding its body with only its head exposed.

“Get up quick,” Xiang Xian said. “We’re going out to play.”

A Huang slept soundly. Xiang Xian squeezed a bit harder, and it let out a “squeak,” waking up.

A Huang: “What are you doing?!”

Full of resentment and about to flare up, A Huang saw Xiang Xian laugh and casually place it on his head.

After Guo Jing took the Pei Sword back, it rested on the sword rack in the main hall. Xiang Xian reached for it, slung it over his back, went to his room to grab his personal items, removed his seal, and tossed it into the drawer.

“Going out?” A Huang, now a bit more awake, shook its feathers.

Xiang Xian replied casually, “This time, you’re coming with me. We won’t be back in the capital for a while. Old Wu!”

A Huang: “He went to buy you liquor.”

Xiang Xian scribbled a note and placed it under the paperweight. He wasn’t worried about Wu Yingzong at all—after all, this housekeeper’s skills were extraordinary. If Wanyan Zonghan fell into his hands, he’d likely snap his neck in one clash. Even if Wu Yingzong truly fought seriously, fifty thousand Forbidden Army troops couldn’t touch a corner of his clothes.

And that was true, because Wu Yingzong rarely fought and often did so without clothes on.

Xiang Xian instructed him to leave Bianjing tonight, head to Shangjing, and go to the ruins of the Liao Kingdom Exorcism Department to find information on the Heart Lamp’s whereabouts and how to wield it for him.

Xiang Xian donned a cloak and pulled up the hood. A Huang obediently flew inside and nestled comfortably.

He mounted his horse and galloped out of the capital. The official road stretched endlessly toward the distance, but under the moonlight stood a figure—Zhao Gou.

Zhao Gou said, “I knew it. Sigh!”

Xiang Xian laughed. “Your information is always so quick. You knew when I returned, and now when I’m leaving. Did you plant spies at the Exorcism Division entrance?”

Zhao Gou didn’t answer. “Still laughing? My big brother is pleading for you right now. Big Brother, do you really have to go?”

“Thank him for me,” Xiang Xian replied.

The two rode side by side as Zhao Gou accompanied Xiang Xian for a short stretch.

“This is some travel money I prepared for you,” Zhao Gou said, “and a bag of strong liquor.”

“Just what I needed,” Xiang Xian replied. “Are you coming?”

Zhao Gou: “Though I don’t want to stay in Bianjing, I can’t leave either.”

Xiang Xian patted his shoulder again. “See you later, little brother.”

With that, Xiang Xian hugged Zhao Gou.

Xiang Xian knew that though Zhao Gou lived in the palace year-round, he lacked sibling bonds. His actions today must have brought him considerable trouble, yet it also revealed Zhao Gou’s true temperament.

Zhao Gou reined in his horse and gazed at Xiang Xian under the moonlight, both silent.

“Giddyup!” In the end, Xiang Xian spurred his horse, turned onto the western main road, and galloped away into the dust.