Chapter 57: Taking Leave Part 7

Xiao Kun had first flown to Dongting Lake and was growing tired. Xiang Xian signaled for him to land and rest. The two found a teahouse along the post road, sat in the shade sipping tea. The sun blazed fiercely; the south had grown hot first, and in this year of great drought, the cicadas cried without cease.

“He’s willing,” Xiao Kun said. “The Black-Winged Great Peng destroyed his hometown.”

Xiang Xian said gravely, “Big Brother, all along, it’s been you rejecting everyone.”

Xiao Kun had always instinctively rejected the title “Big Brother,” feeling it too intimate and embarrassing for Song men to call each other that. But for some reason, after Xiang Xian tied the red rope around his wrist, hearing “Big Brother” made his heart stir. He felt light-headed, as if Xiang Xian need only call him that once, and he’d do anything for him—let alone bicker over such matters of face.

“I was wrong,” Xiao Kun admitted readily. “It’s my fault. I shouldn’t take everything on myself… on the two of us.”

Compared to Xiang Xian, who was accustomed to wandering alone, Xiao Kun sometimes seemed more like a lone hero. Back in the Liao Kingdom Exorcism Department, he had grown used to handling all demon problems himself.

Xiang Xian, on the other hand, had been the most proactive in recruiting for the Exorcism Division—from his willingness to relinquish the titles of Grand Demon-Exorcist and Chief Emissary to sincerely invite Xiao Kun to join.

Realizing this, Xiao Kun looked at Xiang Xian suspiciously. Xiang Xian, munching on tea pastries, caught his glance and immediately defended himself: “It’s absolutely not because I want to slack off.”

“With our current strength, what chance do we have against the Heavenly Demon?” Xiao Kun finally voiced the question that had troubled him for so long.

“Mm,” Xiang Xian said seriously. “If it’s just the two of us plus Hulü Guang, maybe two or three out of ten.”

Xiao Kun pressed a hand to his forehead and frowned in silence.

“But this concerns the entire world,” Xiang Xian said. “I must remind you again, Big Brother.”

Xiao Kun raised his brows and gazed at Xiang Xian. Xiang Xian said earnestly, “Whether it’s Chaosheng or Old Wu, you’re afraid they’ll die fighting the Heavenly Demon, aren’t you?”

“Yes,” Xiao Kun said. “I don’t want anyone to die. I can die—you all cannot. Failing to protect everyone would hurt more than dying myself.”

Xiang Xian laughed and reached out to pat Xiao Kun’s shoulder.

“United as one,” Xiang Xian said, “we can all survive. Charging at the Heavenly Demon with solitary courage will only lead to defeat. Do you know who I saw obtain the Heart Lamp in the dreams of my past life?”

“You?” Xiao Kun said flatly. “It must have been you. You’re the World’s Number One, with peerless cultivation base, wielding both the Wisdom Sword and Heart Lamp. With Shanhai and Mingguang united, no demon could stand against you—you could carve through the Heavenly Demon Palace without issue.”

“That’s not what I meant,” Xiang Xian said. “In the end, you… never mind, let’s not speak of it.”

“Mm.” Xiao Kun’s expression remained calm.

“I’m grateful for the Wheel of Fate’s turning,” Xiang Xian said. “It gave the Demon King a chance—and gave us one too.”

Xiang Xian observed Xiao Kun’s expression and suddenly felt he might know something but simply hadn’t brought it up. Did he see my dreams? Xiang Xian wondered doubtfully. That day by the Ten Thousand Flowers Pool, when he awoke to find Xiao Kun at his side, had he talked in his sleep?

“Let’s go,” Xiao Kun said, coming back to himself. “I’ve rested enough. We should reach Kaifeng tonight.”

Xiao Kun summoned the dragon, and with Xiang Xian, they soared into the sky, heading back to the Bianjing Demon Exorcism Office amid the glow of sunset.

Mountains and earth reflected a layer of golden red. Dusk chased them from behind as stars gently emerged in the night sky. After leaving Dongting Lake, it would take nearly four hours of flight to reach Kaifeng—likely the fifth watch of the night by then.

“Can your stamina hold?” Xiang Xian gazed at the land below. As night fell, the ground was pitch black, with only scattered lights flickering in the few villages they passed. Most of Shenzhou lay shrouded in darkness.

Though it was said that the human race was mighty enough to reshape the world, they had yet to reach every corner of the land, forming only scattered settlements.

“No problem,” Xiao Kun said, lowering altitude. It was night now, so there was no worry of being spotted by passersby along the way. “I don’t want to stay at an inn. I just want to go home now and lie comfortably in my own bed.”

Xiang Xian then stood and moved behind Xiao Kun, placing his hands at his waist and channeling true energy. The Golden Dragon accelerated once more, piercing the night toward the ink-black horizon.

Suddenly, the Golden Dragon sensed something and erupted in brilliant light. Xiao Kun and Xiang Xian jolted simultaneously.

“Watch out!” Xiang Xian roared.

A strand of black qi shot silently toward them. The Golden Dragon let out a hum and plummeted. The black qi swept over, enveloping the Golden Dragon as it tore through the night.

From a height of ten thousand zhang, both men’s bodies began to freefall. Xiang Xian withdrew his hands, releasing fiery red light feathers. The Golden Dragon twisted and rolled violently, spinning at high speed in the air. Xiao Kun nearly flew off its back as Xiang Xian shouted urgently.

In the pitch darkness where he couldn’t see his own hand, Xiang Xian burst into flames. Xiao Kun roared, “We’re going to hit the ground—”

Amid the shouts, Xiang Xian and Xiao Kun plummeted toward the earth as the Golden Dragon vanished.