Chapter 62: Yuezhou Part 6

“Why take your bird?” Baoyin observed their expressions and asked.

“I don’t know.” Xiang Xian said. “Once I draw the Wisdom Sword and Ignite Divine Sense, I’m unaware of the process.”

Xiao Kun hesitated to speak. He had too many things he couldn’t figure out. The enemies seemed to target Xiang Xian and A Huang—but why did Xiang Xian sense A Huang’s attack?

“Do you have a special connection with A Huang?” Xiao Kun asked again.

“Yes.” Xiang Xian replied curtly. “I thought you knew long ago.”

“What kind?” Xiao Kun pressed.

“I don’t know.” Xiang Xian said again. “It’s been that way since the day we met.” He started to rise, but Xiao Kun asked, “Where to?”

“To find it.” Xiang Xian ran a hand through his hair, picked up the Wisdom Sword, and said to Hulü Guang, “Up, Master needs you.”

“It’s already night. Where will you look?” Xiao Kun said. “Sit down first. Think it through before acting.”

“Or what?” Xiang Xian said. “What if Zhou Wang refines it?”

“Will charging off like this solve it?!” Xiao Kun said loudly. “They might have another ambush waiting!”

Everyone watched Xiang Xian and Xiao Kun. It was Mu Qingshan, Hulü Guang, and Baoyin’s first time seeing them argue. Chaosheng signaled it was fine, knowing their dynamic. He thought for a moment, then returned to his room first. Wu Yingzong nodded to Hulü Guang and followed Chaosheng.

The group dispersed, leaving the outer hall to the two of them.

Xiang Xian stood at the third-floor railing of the inn, gazing into the pitch-black night. “I shouldn’t have drawn my sword back then.”

Xiao Kun said, “I’ve disappointed you. Sorry. I promise I’ll rescue A Huang. But you have to calm down first. We fell for the enemy’s ambush—it’s embarrassing, but in warfare, victory and defeat are commonplace. Regret won’t change it.”

Xiang Xian turned to look at Xiao Kun.

Xiao Kun said, “You’ve never tasted defeat all these years. Adversity makes you quick to anger. I’ve faced harder things—like clashing with the Demon King. Luck doesn’t hold every time. Don’t throw off your own rhythm.”

The words rang true, but they stung especially. Xiang Xian laughed first.

“Defeat comes, and with it lessons.” Xiang Xian turned. “Come on, keep schooling me. I’m all ears.”

Xiao Kun said, “It was my fault. I was too careless when fighting Zhou Wang. In Xuan Yue Mountain, I didn’t take him seriously, and my subordinates were all mortals. I never expected them to set up a trap here.”

Xiang Xian said seriously, “I have to go save A Huang, no matter what method it takes. Every moment of delay means more danger.”

Xiao Kun’s brows furrowed deeply as his fingers unconsciously tapped the table nonstop. Mr. Zhao had been watching them the whole time earlier. That man was nothing like Mr. Ying or Mr. Qin—he was far harder to deal with. They had to be extremely careful.

“We know Zhen Yue went to the area near the graveyard,” Xiao Kun said. “There must be some clues there. We can start from the graveyard, but you must calm down, Feng’er.”

Xiao Kun watched Xiang Xian. He always felt that the first time they had left Kuaiji and flown over Dongting Lake, when they were ambushed, Demonic Qi had emerged in Xiang Xian’s heart meridians. Though Hulü Guang had driven it away, this time with A Huang captured, Xiang Xian had sensed it again, and clear Baleful Qi now showed between his brows.

But anyone in the same situation—having a companion of many years kidnapped—would burn with anxiety. For now, Xiao Kun couldn’t tell if Xiang Xian was influenced by A Huang or if it was his true nature emerging.

Xiang Xian calmed down and said, “Right, A Huang mentioned it this morning too.”

Xiao Kun said, “And the demon in the lake water last time—that’s another important clue.”

It was rare for Xiao Kun to remain so calm at a moment like this, sorting through the information they had gathered.

In the room, the other companions remained silent, their faces filled with worry.

Hulü Guang was about to close the door when Baoyin slipped inside, wanting to stay with them.

Thus, Chaosheng, Wu Yingzong, Mu Qingshan, Baoyin, and Hulü Guang crowded into Chaosheng’s bedroom.

“Are they okay?” Mu Qingshan rarely showed concern for his two top superiors.

“They’ll be fine in a bit,” Chaosheng said. “Big Brothers have argued before. It’s just A Huang… Sigh, why?”

Baoyin pondered, then suddenly said, “What exactly is that bird?”

Mu Qingshan said, “Phoenix.”

Baoyin said, “I’ve never seen one, but I know a phoenix doesn’t look like that.”

Mu Qingshan said, “Don’t believe me then.”

Seeing the two about to argue, Chaosheng quickly intervened. Wu Yingzong said, “Are you sure?”

“Not sure, just a guess,” Mu Qingshan said casually.

“No matter what it is,” Chaosheng said, “why did the Demon Race capture it?”

“Their target is Master,” Wu Yingzong said. “Master’s weakness is A Huang. Attacking A Huang wounds Master’s heart meridians, so they set up this trap. Lord Xiao rescued the people, but A Huang was captured and is now a hostage.”

Hulü Guang said, “Bird hostage.”

Wu Yingzong said, “Yes, bird hostage.”

That made sense. Everyone thought for a moment, then Hulü Guang said, “Lord Xiao is right. We absolutely cannot panic now.”

Baoyin said, “I don’t understand. Why is A Huang Master’s weakness?”

Wu Yingzong said, “I don’t know that. I only know he can briefly possess A Huang’s body—maybe their souls are connected? Even Master Shen never mentioned it. A Huang has been by his side longer than me, since he was little.”

Mu Qingshan signaled them and said, “Quiet down, Chaosheng. Go check.”

Chaosheng stood and looked out worriedly.

“Wait a bit more.” Wu Yingzong peered through the door crack. Xiao Kun was speaking seriously, while Xiang Xian had his back to them, his expression unclear, but the atmosphere had eased, returning to calm.

Moments later, Xiang Xian stood and walked toward them, instructing, “Everyone, rest while you can. We’ll move at dawn.”