Chapter 62: Yuezhou Part 2

“That’s not from our local report,” Magistrate Liu said embarrassedly. “It was sent from Huarong County’s magistrate to Kaifeng. Forgive the laughable need for you sirs to come all this way.”

Xiao Kun waved it off. Cooler inside the office, they refused the gifts. After the investigation, they left along the main road. Back under the blazing sun, sweat poured again.

“I want some sour plum soup,” Xiang Xian said.

Xiao Kun stopped at a roadside stall, bought sour plum soup for Xiang Xian. Xiang Xian then helped him remove his outer robe, finally bringing relief. Xiang Xian leaned close, his lips carrying the cool, fresh osmanthus scent, making Xiao Kun turn to look at him.

“There,” Xiang Xian said. “Like this. Boots are hot too—change to sandals later for comfort.”

“Has A Huang returned?” Xiao Kun asked, standing in the street. “We need to investigate Junshan.”

Just then, A Huang flew across Yuezhou City, flapping his wings to land on Xiang Xian’s shoulder.

“Something’s off about this place,” A Huang said. “Everything feels weird.”

“How so?” Xiao Kun tensed immediately.

“There’s a big demon in the lake,” A Huang said. “It’s been there three years, and no one’s noticed.”

Xiang Xian: “Oh? How big?”

“Don’t interrupt,” A Huang and Xiao Kun said simultaneously.

“The mountain’s strange too,” A Huang continued. “People going in and out near the graves at night, with blue lights flashing.”

Xiang Xian said at once, “Earth Veins. Someone’s using Earth Vein power—who knows for what.”

The blue light marked Earth Veins, and the fluctuations from their energy had alerted the Zhen Family, sending Zhen Yue to investigate.

A Huang: “In the west of the city, there’s a feng shui master. The birds said another feng shui master showed up recently and fought him. Maybe fighting over territory.”

Xiang Xian: “What a mess.”

Xiao Kun seized the key point: “The other one is Zhen Yue?”

A Huang: “Maybe. Didn’t you tell me to find the feng shui master?”

“Let’s go check it out,” Xiao Kun said decisively.

Xiang Xian let A Huang perch on his shoulder and headed west with Xiao Kun. Western Yueyang was a simple market for nearby villagers to trade essentials—mostly lake fish and fresh produce on stalls. Behind them, streets sold tea and dry goods; further in were pawnshops.

Amid the market stood a single middle-aged feng shui master, hanging a Summoning Banner and lounging on a bamboo couch, squinting in the sun with a few white whiskers on his chin.

They arrived at the market. Xiang Xian bought a sugar painting of an intricately crafted dragon, broke off pieces to eat casually, and reached the feng shui master with Xiao Kun. Xiao Kun stood there a while before the man opened his eyes and drawled, “What can I do for you, honored guest?”

“Any words for me, Master?” Xiao Kun had never dealt with such a person before—feng shui masters were rare in Liao.

Xiang Xian sized up the man, feeling an inexplicable familiarity, as if they had met. Who could it be? At the same time, he noticed several thugs lurking in the shadows, watching them.

“Fortune-telling, physiognomy, geomancy, divining by characters,” the man smiled. “I have it all. What troubles you, honored guest?”

“Read my palm,” Xiao Kun said, sitting down. He too felt he had seen this man before. Both his and Xiang Xian’s minds raced.

“A single transverse crease,” the man said. “Rich and noble in balance. You must be a man of great wealth and status.”

“Too kind,” Xiao Kun replied offhandedly. “Just a minor official.”

“Hmm, but your family ties are thin,” the man examined Xiao Kun’s hand and eyes seriously. “Dark eyes with Divine Pupil—seeing through everything isn’t always good. That’ll be one tael of silver.”

“One tael just for that?” Xiao Kun said. “I could say the same.”

Xiang Xian flicked a silver coin into the bowl with a clink. “Here, read mine too?”

As he sat on the bench, he wiped his sugar-sticky hand on Xiao Kun’s robe and extended his left hand.

The feng shui master said, “This little bro must have lost family recently…”

“Nonsense,” Xiang Xian said. “Can’t you see we’re both in mourning?”

Suddenly, the feng shui master fell silent. After reading Xiao Kun’s palm, Xiao Kun hadn’t withdrawn his hand but pinched the man’s pulse gate with two fingers. Xiang Xian seized the moment, striking like lightning to press a finger on the man’s wrist, subduing him alongside Xiao Kun.

“Good moves, little bro,” the feng shui master laughed.

“You’re no slouch either,” Xiang Xian said. “Few in the world can make both of us strike at once.”

Though they couldn’t identify him yet, Xiao Kun judged this man was tied to Zhen Yue’s disappearance. Sure enough, the feng shui master struggled, channeling energy, and wisps of Demonic Qi leaked from his wrist!

The man grinned eerily. Xiang Xian said gravely, “Where did you take Zhen Yue?! Hand him over!”

The feng shui master didn’t answer. A surge of black qi erupted. Xiao Kun and Xiang Xian flipped the wooden table. Xiang Xian withdrew, cupped his palms, then thrust forward—Fierce Sun True Fire exploded from his palms like thunderfire bombs. With a massive boom, the feng shui stall shattered!

Though few people were in the market, vendors scattered in panic, shouting. Some hid in houses to peek curiously. Xiao Kun swept the surroundings, spotting lurking thugs.

“Ah,” Xiang Xian recognized the demonic aura. “It’s you. Forgive my dim eyes—I didn’t recognize you at first.”

The feng shui master’s body warped like mud, revealing eyes gleaming purple sinisterly. It was Zhou Wang, whom they had briefly clashed with on Xuan Yue Mountain! He grinned chillingly: “We meet again, Young Hero.”

In the next instant, Zhou Wang turned into a black fire meteor, smashing through market stalls behind him and fleeing into the city. Meanwhile, assassins disguised as commoners drew blades and charged!

“Hey!” Xiang Xian said. “Why’d you let him go!”

“I thought you had him!” Xiao Kun shouted, flicking his wrist. His Tang Dao spun, a burst of Saber Qi repelling the nearest assassins. The killers were well-trained, holding back momentarily to form an encirclement, watching each other’s backs.