Chapter 54: Keeping Watch Part 6

Xiao Kun ignored him, gazing at the river scenery. Xiang Xian gestured for him to sit. More passengers boarded gradually. Xiang Xian leaned in seriously, solemnly, in a low voice: “Around here, sworn brothers also carry… this meaning.”

Xiang Xian pressed his fists together, thumbs twitching, and pursed his lips in a kissing motion.

Xiao Kun finally understood, his face instantly flushing to his ears, unsure how to respond. Xiang Xian burst into laughter again, leaning against the gunwale, his face alight with smiles and blush. He turned sideways, embarrassed, watching the fish in the water.

For a full quarter-hour, they did not speak. Xiao Kun tried several times to open his mouth but found the atmosphere both awkward and alluring, at a loss for words.

Occasionally, fish leaped beside the boat, splashing. Xiang Xian turned to point out two men on a distant bridge, holding hands and sitting intimately side by side, then gave Xiao Kun a meaningful look—as if to say: just like that.

“Kuaiji’s folk customs are truly… truly…” Xiao Kun did not know how to describe it.

“After swearing the bond, they stay together for life,” Xiang Xian said earnestly, though his eyes still laughed. “Just like marriage, so that’s why my mother asked.”

“I understand,” Xiao Kun replied.

Xiang Xian hesitated several times, then suddenly both their hearts pounded wildly. Though Xiao Kun did not use Nether Eyes, strong intuition told him—Xiang Xian wanted to say: Would you be willing like this?

In the ambiguous air, neither spoke. Xiang Xian looked at Xiao Kun for a long while, then suddenly turned away to watch the fish in the river.

Xiao Kun’s breathing grew heavy for a moment before slowly calming.

Xiang Xian did not ask, and Xiao Kun desperately wanted to know what Xiang Xian was thinking then, but he restrained himself from using Nether Eyes to read his mind.

“We’re here,” Xiang Xian said.

The ferry reached the dock at the base of Kuaiji Mountain. Xiang Xian wore black-and-white Mourning Clothes and had not donned a mourning cap when leaving; after walking some distance, he began to sweat. Xiao Kun remained in black attire. Both removed their outer robes and tied them at their waists, then slowly ascended the mountain path. Midway up, Xianglu Temple’s bell tolled. From the hillside, the river wound through towering green peaks—a place of ethereal beauty, a paradise differing from Kunlun’s grandeur.

Xianglu Temple bustled with incense. After the temple fair, the crowds had thinned somewhat. A novice saw Xiang Xian and said, “Benefactor Xiang has arrived. Please come in.”

Xiao Kun generously donated, pouring out silver and copper coins, when Xiang Xian whispered, “They have plenty of money. A token gesture is enough.”

“What about at Erwang Temple?” Xiao Kun asked seriously. “This is… Nüwa?”

In a side hall of Xianglu Temple stood a rare statue of Nüwa, one side hung with countless notes pleading for matchmaking. Xiao Kun took the incense, and they bowed three times together before inserting it into the burner. Xiang Xian lingered in silent prayer, his expression solemn yet with a playful smile at the corners of his mouth.

Xiao Kun waited a full quarter-hour by his side, thinking: Does this man have so many wishes?

When Xiang Xian finally came over, Xiao Kun said, “Why do I feel like even when you pray to the gods, you don’t have good intentions?”

Xiang Xian replied, “Of course you have to repeat the wishes over and over until It gets annoyed and grants them to be rid of me, right?”

Xiang Xian draped an arm over Xiao Kun’s shoulder as they exited. The Abbot awaited outside the side hall and personally received them.

The temple served tea and vegetarian pastries. From the elegant chamber, a thriving emerald peach grove stretched out—undoubtedly a stunning sight when the flowers bloomed in early spring.

The Abbot chatted with Xiang Xian and Xiao Kun about Zen. As Exorcists, they naturally followed the conversation, sighing that all things were empty. The Abbot consoled Xiang Xian warmly, then had someone bring a wooden tray holding two strings of red ropes. The plain woven cords had darkened from years of offering.

“These were offered for you back then by old Benefactor Xiang,” the Abbot said.

Xiang Xian took the two Wrist Ropes and casually handed one to Xiao Kun. As Xiao Kun examined it, Xiang Xian put on the other first, then tied it on him deftly, securing it with a firm knot.

“We can weave the Echoing Voice Insect into this,” Xiang Xian said.

“No way,” Xiao Kun replied. “It’d shatter into nothing after two swings of a blade.”

After tying on the red ropes, they went outside Xianglu Temple. Xiang Xian kept glancing at the sky, leaving Xiao Kun puzzled as to his intent.

“Come, you pick,” Xiang Xian said to Xiao Kun. “Those two high up look good—they’re starting to redden.”

“If you want peaches, ask the temple. They won’t refuse you.” Xiao Kun was exasperated, only now realizing Xiang Xian wanted to steal the temple’s peaches.

Xiang Xian said, “They’re stingy and won’t give any, fearing that one leads to all the pilgrims demanding them. Just pick them yourself. I’ll hold you up.”

Xiao Kun, the Great Liao Crown Prince Tutor, Great Song Exorcism Envoy, and Shenzhou Great Exorcist, ended up being hoisted by Xiang Xian to steal peaches outside Xianglu Temple.

After much coaxing, Xiang Xian half-carried Xiao Kun and snatched one. Suddenly, the temple guard dogs inside the courtyard barked furiously, alerting the monks. The two fled like a gust of wind.